Elk Cove Vineyards

Elk Cove Vineyards was founded in 1974 by Pat and Joe Campbell, making it one of Oregon's oldest wine producers. There were only about 200 acres of grapes planted at that time in Oregon. The estate vineyard was planted in a protected valley where the namesake Roosevelt elk migrate each spring. It was a family affair from the beginning with four children being the parents' first labor force. The first vintage was 1977. Joe made wine for the first twenty years, the two worked together on the 1995 and 1996 vintages and then son Adam took over in 1997.

The winery's focus is on the Pinot "trilogy": Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc with a few lesser-known wines such as Muscat Ottonel and Riesling. Elk Cove Vineyards has produced single-vineyard Pinot Noir since 1979. Currently the single-vineyard lineup includes Windhill, La Boheme, Roosevelt, Mt. Richmond, and Five Mountain. A total of 230 acres are farmed.

The wines enjoy good retail distribution. The limited release wines are sold out quickly through loyal customers and on the website. 503-985-7760. This is a trusted source for consistently fine Oregon wines. The comfortable tasting room has panoramic views of the Willamette Valley and is open daily 10:00 to 5:00.

Reviewed Wines

2012 Elk Cove La Bohémé Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $60. This is a high elevation and steep
south-facing vineyard with well-drained Willakenzie soils located high above the Elk Cove property. The
vineyard was planted in 1984 using cuttings from the Elk Cove Estate Vineyard.
·Moderate and bright reddish
purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume of black cherry, black raspberry, plum, violet, red licorice, cardamom
and wood spice. Mid weight flavors of dark stone fruits and berries with complimentary oak and spice in the
background. The attack is mouth filling, the fruit is bright and juicy, and the finish is rewarding. A pretty wine
that was still solid the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.Score:92.
Reviewed July 6, 2014ARTICLE&nbsp»

2011 Elk Cove Mount Richmond Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $34. This vineyard is
located on a steep southeast facing slope with well-drained Willakenzie soil. Planted in 1996 with
cuttings from Elk Cove’s Roosevelt Vineyard.
·Moderate garnet color in the glass. Deep aromas of
cherry, strawberry, leather wallet and oak. Satisfying flavors of cherry and red berries with
complimentary oak in the background. Supple tannins with a tangy, cherry themed finish. A good
food wine.Score:90.
Reviewed April 19, 2014ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., pH 3.55, 7,227 cases, $29.
A blend from several vineyards including Pommard and Dijon clones. Vine age 9 to 37 years, yield
1.6 tons per acre.
·Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of fresh, dark red cherries,
raspberries and strawberries leap from the glass. The rich flavors echo the nose, with a well-balanced
backbone of acidity and tannin, and a strong, firm finish. A showy wine with surprising
richness for this vintage and the low alcohol level. One of Oregon’s consistently solid value-priced
Pinot Noirs. Produced in quantity and widely available. Good (+).Reviewed November 24, 2012ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Elk Cove Vineyards Clay Court Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.60, 352 cases, $48.
This vineyard is located in the Parrot Mountain area of the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Acquired by Elk Cove
Vineyards in 2009, this 15-acre vineyard was planted in 2001 to Dijon 115, 777 and Pommard. The soils are
dark red Jory in type. Yield 1.75 tons per acre.
·Light reddish-purple color in the glass. Uplifted aromas of dark
red cherries, spice and sandalwood. Well-spiced mid-weight cherry essence with nicely integrated acidity and
gossamer tannins. A wine of style and grace with plenty of cherry talking. Much better later in the day from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good.Reviewed November 24, 2012ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Elk Cove Vineyards La Bohème Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0%
alc., pH 3.67, 353 cases, $48. This vineyard was planted in 1985 and is now a
17-acre high density site composed of vines selected from the original Estate
Pommard planting. This vineyard rises to 800 feet, high above the Elk Cove
property, making it one of the highest elevation sites in the Willamette Valley.
Yield 1.55 tons per acre.
·Light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Demure fruit
aromas of strawberry and cherry with seasoned oak in the background. Oakkissed
dark red berry and cherry fruits with good intensity, creating an
impression on the mid palate and persisting with moderate richness on the
finish. A note of red licorice is evident. A sophisticated offering of considerable
appeal. Very good.Reviewed November 24, 2012ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Elk Cove Vineyards Mount Richmond Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $48. Vineyard was planted in 1996 with cuttings from
Roosevelt Vineyard. Willakenzie soils.
·Moderately dark reddish-purple
color in the glass. Great nose! Lovely aromas of black cherry fill the
glass like fresh cherries just off the tree. Aromas of spice and candied
cinnamon apple add interest. A cherry bombast on the palate that is flat
out delicious. A sensational wine that is moderately rich but strikingly
flavorful and composed in a seamless fashion with modest fine-grain tannins
and complimentary oak in the background. Plenty of Pinot singing in this great
wine.Reviewed June 4, 2013ARTICLE&nbsp»

2008 Elk Cove Mount Richmond Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.,
pH 3.68, 894 cases, $48. From a vineyard planted in high density format in
1996 with old Pommard cuttings from Roosevelt Vineyard. Clones 115 and 777
add to the mix.
·Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark plums
and tea with oak. Full-bodied hedonistic fruit buried in oak and tannin at
present. Just doesn’t offer a load of pleasure now and needs time in the cellar
to integrate the oak and tannin. Good.Reviewed August 9, 2010ARTICLE&nbsp»

2007 Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

13.0% alc., 18,420 cases, $19.
From vines that are 7-22 years of age cropped at 3.2 tons per acre (shoot and crop thinned
for low yields). Whole cluster pressed and fermented at very cool temperatures in small
stainless steel tanks.
·Complex aromatic profile of pears, biscuit, honey and wax. Bright pear
and apple fruits with a creamy richness, lively yet well-integrated acidity and a persistent
finish. This is the one to try if you want to experience what Oregon Pinot gris is all about.Reviewed March 26, 2009ARTICLE&nbsp»

2007 Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 19,750
cases, $21. Family owned and managed winery with 600 acres on four vineyard
sites. The focus is the Pinot Trilogy: Noir, Gris and Blanc. This wine is composed
of Pommard and Dijon clones.
·Complex aromatic profile featuring dark berry
fruits, aged wood, fresh-mown grass and a hint of chocolate. The flavors echo
the aromas with some added earthiness and woodsy fungi notes. Unusually
hearty richness and color for a 2007 vintage Oregon Pinot Noir. Barely noticeable tannins
and a dry finish. Well-crafted and easy to drink.Reviewed March 26, 2009ARTICLE&nbsp»

2006 Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $23.
·Confected cherry and brown sugar
aromas lead to a cherry-driven core with a little root beer and oak adding interest. Soft in texture with a
pleasing fullness in the mouth and a short, but pleasing finish. An excellent back porch wine for daily drinking.Reviewed September 15, 2008ARTICLE&nbsp»

2004 Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $19. One of Oregon's oldest and most distinguished producers. It is a family owned and operated winery with Adam Godlee Campbell as the winemaker.
·Nice wine for what it is. A toasty oak and fruit scented nose leads to luscious cherry and raspberry flavors kissed by oak. The mouth feel is viscous and the whole package is nicely balanced. You would be hard pressed to find a better under-$20 Pinot Noir.Reviewed September 5, 2006